Pertemps & partners tackle high youth unemployment

A new traineeship initiative delivered by the partners has been heralded a huge success after participants secured employment as a result.

The trial traineeship programme is now expected to be expanded and that could not have come at a better time, faced against a backdrop of high unemployment among young people – latest figures estimate there to be over 750,000 young people still out of work.*

Pertemps, one of the largest recruitment agencies in the UK, has a proud tradition of developing young talent. Over 11 weeks, trainees completed five weeks’ employability training, delivered by Pertemps People Development Group, and a further six weeks worth of work placements at National Grid in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

Lisa McGuigan, Pertemps National Account Manager, said, “We understand how difficult in can be for some young people to find jobs and careers so it is vital that they are given the right support. Traineeship programmes such as this provide valuable employability skills and work experience that will serve the trainees for many years to come.”

Pertemps developed the programme in partnership with leading welfare-to-work provider Pertemps People Development Group, to assist young people into work whilst supporting the government’s agenda to tackle youth unemployment. The course was for trainees aged 19 to 24 who were identified via local Job Centre Plus branches and comprised three core elements: functional skills, employability skills and career experience.

Claire Jenkins, Global Head of Strategic HR Projects for National Grid, said: “When we embarked on this programme with Pertemps we were clear that we wanted to create something with long-term benefits for us and for the young people. It wasn’t just about work experience, or a short-term fix, it was about building a traineeship that could see young people in a position to remove themselves from unemployment long term. We’ve been pleased with the way things have worked and plan to roll it out to other parts of the business. We’re also encouraging our supply chain to consider undertaking similar traineeships so that more young people can benefit.”

Pertemps People Development Group operational training director, Kate Darcy, commented, “This fantastic achievement has been accomplished by three organisations working together for the benefit of young unemployed job seekers. The programme clearly demonstrates the value of young people undertaking a traineeship, something the government are keen to encourage as a stepping stone to an apprenticeship or employment.

“Planning and preparation for any experience is crucial and I’m delighted that the pre-programme work to enhance everyone’s employability, maths and English skills has undoubtedly paid dividends with the resultant job offers to previously unemployed young people.”